The Arrow's Path

I had my first experience of Lakota culture today, as I had to help Father John with a funeral out in Norris, SD. It was exactly what one would imagine a funeral in rural South Dakota would be like. The little church right off Little House on the Prairie. There was the rugged South Dakota hills in the distance, and we followed the casket up the dusty road to the cemetery on top of the hill. This, of course, was all after the wake we had last night. (Apparently, this was a "progressive" family that only wanted a one-night wake, not the traditional 3-night wake.) The commital service was done traditionally with sage incense and Lakota prayers. To add to the fun, the tradition in Lakota circles is that the pall bearers actually fill in the grave after the casket has been lowered in. Yes, they shoveled in the dirt for the entire grave. It took about 45 minutes. We were wearing black, and it was 94 degrees. Never gotten sun burned at a funeral before. Afterward there was a large ...

Due to a Lakota funeral and wake, which will be part Christian (see Episcopal church in the background) and traditional, these tipis were erected for the ceremony tomorrow right behind my summer residence. How cool is that? And, yes, we get great sunsets in South Dakota...

I tried to do a paper on Native Americans and the Episcopal Church back in the fall, but Seabury's library had very little about. I was telling my supervisor here at Rosebud about it, and he just brought over his library on the subject. Its quite a collection. I may try to do a research paper, since I seem to have the time. Good stuff...

I knew they had dial-up ISP at the church across the way. I figured I would be able to access the internet there. By some bizarre coincidence, I apparently have a WiFi hotspot in the far end of the trailer. I have no idea why that is, as this is the middle of South Dakota, about 45 miles from anywhere. Go figure...

I finally made it to Rosebud today after my marathon road trip. We stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. The Corn Palace is a truly bizarre American phenomenon. The exterior of the convention center is made completely out of corn. Its impressive artwork, I must say. Rosebud was exactly how I left it when I visited in December minus the foot or so of snow. As chance would have it, I ran into Dave Hedges, a Seabury alumnus, who was there doing a mission trip with his church. Its a small church after all. This will probably be the last time I get to post for a while as I am in a hotel in Sioux Falls where my father is flying home from. We do have dialup at Rosebud, but connections are spotty. I will try to keep everyone updated on what (and how) I am doing.

I had to post this belatedly because I had no ISP connection for the last few days. -The Archer+ Day three of my roadtrip went well. We stopped in Omaha to go to Monday's game of the College World Series. Oregon State won over Georgia. Georgia was therefore eliminated.I had quite possible the largest hotdog I have ever seen while there as well. I am including a picture of it. We got to spend the night as Resurrection House, where I interned a few years ago. It was sort of weird to be back, as it was like I never left in some ways. Tomorrow, we are heading up to Rosebud, and I will begin my internship. Almost there...

On my ongoing trek to South Dakota, my father and I stopped in Kansas City today. Both being baseball fans, for Father's Day, we went to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The Negro Leagues were were African-Americans played baseball during the segregation era until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball. The Negro Leagues continued for a few years, but largely had ceased to function by the late 1950's, as most of the talent had made it into major league baseball. And, oh, what some incredible talent major league baseball missed out on during that era. Josh Gibson, a catcher, was the Babe Ruth of Negro League baseball with over 800 career home runs. Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, and many others got there start in baseball through the segregated leagues. Interestingly, many clubs were owned and managed by African-Americans in an era when there was very little enterprise available for African-Americans. To learn more, go to the website or watch Ken Burns b...

Due to the wonders of technology, I am able to take pictures, upload to my computer, and thanks to the wifi in the hotel, I am able to share my adventures on my blog. I drove to St. Louis today and saw the Arch, and the new baseball stadium. Game was sold out. :( But, I did get some good pics.

The time has arrived. I am heading out to South Dakota tomorrow to start my summer job on the Sioux Reservation in central SD. I am looking forward to the adventure and the possiblities. As it will take a few days to drive out that way, I will probably be on a blogging hiatus for a while. I will try to take some pictures and keep my loyal readers as up to date as possible. But, as I do not know whether I will have any form of reliable internet out there, my blogging may be sporatic for the next month or two. The piper is calling me to join him, "Go west, young man...go west."

I was flipping though channels this evening, and Larry King was on. Apparently, ECUSA has sunk to airing its laundry on national television (again). King was interviewing all the extremists, no doubt for better ratings. And there was also the obligatory and incoherent mumble from the +PB. The show really had all the feel of the Jerry Springer show. Sigh...guess I will go prepare for the barrage of questions/commentary that my friends and neighbors here in the bible belt will no doubt have (and unleash upon me). I have always wondered what it is about Episcopalians. We get along with everyone but ourselves. Please pray for our church.

This is so cute, it's disgusting...

I am back from my fishing expedition. Some days they bite all day, and others you don't get so much as a nibble. Unfortunately, my trip was mostly the later. I was able to rent a pontoon boat and cruise Cherokee lake though. I know the dock owner, so I can get a pretty good deal. Nice day, but the fish just were not biting. But any day fishing, even if not successful, is a good day unless you lose a 20 dollar lure or hook yourself. Fortunately, neither of those happened. I will be online for the next week or so, so drop me a line or IM if you need me. After that I will be treking out to South Dakota, and I am not sure when I will post again.

I thought this was pretty cool. My bishop and deputies at General Convention decided to create a blog for the event. You can check it out at http://negeneralconvention2006.blogspot.com/

I have been rather slow on keeping up my regularly scheduled bloggery. This is due mainly to being home. I plan to go fishing at my favorite place out in Rutledge, TN, so I will be away for a few more days still. I smell a fish fry...

I drove back to Tennessee (and made it back safe and sound). After preaching two services on Sunday, I didn't feel like driving the whole way in one sitting, so I stopped at a Super 8 motel that had a pool. The pool was this little indoor number. As I was wading around the pool (5 foot pools just don't do much for 6 foot something guys), I noticed the usual Pool warnings sign. Usually they have things like: Swim at own risk, and such. Well, this particular hotel had a laundry list, and it was rather graffic. Considering what I learned in law school, no disclaimer is ever made unless there is a story behind it. With that in mind, these were some of the particular gems that were listed: No one with open, festering, or oozing wounds may swim. Any person with blood borne pathogens may not swim. Those who have just given birth may not swim. Good thing I'm not a ebola-infected, post-natal zombie.

Seabury had a lovely graduation service yesterday at St. Luke's-Evanston for another batch of clergy-to-be. Congrats class of 2006. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

I don't like spam...at least not getting it. Blogging about it on the other hand is always amusing. I got another one this morning to add to my list o' weird spam. Subject line: Bible Winner Notifciation Sender: King James Let me get this right...I just got a "Notifciation" from King James. "I'm Special!"